LifeAlaska · July 26, 2026
skip the doctor's waitlist
Soon you won't need a doctor's appointment to get treated for strep, the flu, or a UTI in Alaska.
Daily Alaska staff · July 26, 2026
Alaska lawmakers passed a new law expanding what pharmacists across the state are allowed to do, overriding a veto from the governor to get it enacted. Starting early next year, pharmacists will be able to test for and treat common illnesses like strep throat, influenza, and urinary tract infections right at the pharmacy counter.
The law also lets pharmacists check patients' blood pressure, test blood sugar, and help manage the medications patients are already taking, all without a separate clinic visit. For Alaskans who already pass a pharmacy regularly, that means getting treated on the spot instead of waiting days for a clinic appointment.
The change is expected to matter most in rural Alaska, where a pharmacy is often the closest health care option for miles and the nearest hospital can be a flight away. Supporters say turning the pharmacy counter into a real point of care will ease pressure on crowded clinics and get patients help faster.
The shift applies statewide, from Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula to small towns across the Interior, giving residents in those areas a new, closer option for routine testing and treatment.
In this story
Questions people ask
can I get strep throat treatment at the pharmacy now
You will be able to starting early next year, when the new law takes effect and pharmacists across Alaska can test and treat strep, the flu, and urinary tract infections without a doctor visit.
what else can pharmacists do under the new law
They can also check your blood pressure, test your blood sugar, and help you manage your medications.
did the governor want this law
No, the governor vetoed it, but lawmakers had the votes to override that veto and make it law anyway.
how does this help rural Alaska
In rural towns where the pharmacy is often your closest healthcare option and the nearest hospital might be a flight away, this saves a trip and time.
Evidence
Sources
Claims and where they come from
- Alaska passed a law allowing pharmacists to test for and treat strep throat, the flu, and urinary tract infections starting early next year. · alaskapublic.org
- The law lets pharmacists check blood pressure, test blood sugar, and help manage patients' medications. · alaskapublic.org
- The law became effective after lawmakers overrode the governor's veto. · alaskapublic.org
Produced with AI assistance, narrated with Slav Lund's voice clone with his consent, and reviewed by a person before publishing. How we use AI →